I'm Dangerously Confident in the Bengals For the 2026 NFL Season

NFL minicamps are essentially over, and all 32 teams have now entered summer break before training camps begin in mid-to-late July.

At this point in the offseason, most of the key moves for teams have already been made. Rosters are mostly set, coaching staffs are in place, and front offices have done a lot of the major moves to set the tone for their teams for the 2026 NFL season.

This is usually the time of year when I start developing some gut feelings about teams. Some teams I become more confident in, others I start talking myself out of. Sometimes there's a logical explanation behind it, and other times it's just a feeling I can't quite justify.

There's one team in particular that I keep coming back to, and I'm probably trusting them way too much right now.

That team is the Cincinnati Bengals.

I just feel that they're finally due for a successful season. Maybe I believe their quarterback is finally going to stay healthy. Maybe I'm putting too much faith in their coaching staff, front office, and organization as a whole despite the fact they really haven't done much over the past few years to earn that level of trust.

Whatever the reason, I can't shake the feeling that the Bengals are going to have a great season.

Joe Burrow said this Bengals team reminds him of this 2019 LSU team, which is arguably the greatest college team ever that went on to be undefeated and win the NCAA championship.

Of course, I'm not saying the Bengals are going to follow that same script, but assuming health, I don't just think Cincinnati is a legitimate playoff contender. I think they're a legitimate threat to come out of the AFC.

That might sound crazy considering they haven't even made the playoffs in three years. But I think they've quietly had one of the more interesting offseasons in the league over the past few months.

Not to mention, for the first time in a while, it feels like the expectations surrounding the Bengals have actually cooled off. Because of their recent struggles, particularly on defense, I think most people would consider simply getting back into the postseason a successful year. They don't even necessarily have to win the division in the eyes of many people.

A Wild Card berth would probably be viewed as a success.

However, I think this team has the potential to accomplish much more than that.

They've shored up the offensive line, and they've put significant resources into improving their defense.

Yes, losing Trey Hendrickson hurts, especially to a division rival, and replacing that kind of production isn't easy. But they've still made a number of moves that I like.

They traded for Dexter Lawrence. They signed Boye Mafe. They signed Bryan Cook. They also spent the previous few drafts investing in the defensive side of the football. The only reason they didn't make another first-round defensive selection this year was because they moved that pick in the Lawrence deal.

They've clearly recognized that the defense needed attention, and for the first time in a while, they made a concerted effort to address it.

I don't think this defense needs to become elite overnight. If they can simply be league average, that might be enough for this team to be dangerous.

If Joe Burrow is healthy, this offense is going to score points. They're going to move the football, they're going to stay in games, and more often than not, they'll probably be playing with a lead.

If the defense can come up with a handful of timely stops each week, that could be the difference between being a fringe playoff team and becoming a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Of course, everything ultimately comes back to Burrow and his health.

Can he stay healthy? That will always be the biggest question surrounding this team.

His injury history is absolutely concerning, there's no denying that. But maybe this is just another gut feeling of mine, I think he's just due for a healthier season. It almost feels like there's been a pattern throughout his career where he misses significant time one year, comes back healthy the following season, and then plays at an elite level.

Last year, his turf toe injury in Week 2 interrupted things for him before he returned later in the season.

If the pattern continues, Burrow should be healthy, and if he is, this offense has all the ingredients to be special.

Ja'Marr Chase is still arguably the best wide receiver in football. Tee Higgins is still arguably the best No. 2 receiver in the NFL. That trio of Burrow, Chase, and Higgins alone gives Cincinnati a chance in every single game they play.

Beyond the stars, I also like some of their depth pieces. Mike Gesicki can contribute. Andrei Iosivas has shown promise. Chase Brown has been productive when given opportunities. There's more talent on this roster than I think people realize.

As for Zac Taylor, I understand why opinions on him are mixed.

Is he one of the premier head coaches in football? No.

But he's also not a bad coach.

If the Bengals were to miss the playoffs again, they probably would fire him and move on from him, but I still do think he'd find another head coaching opportunity because of the equity he's built around the league. More importantly, he's already proven he can guide a team to the Super Bowl.

Sure, that run happened five years ago. But he still did it.

When I look at this Bengals team as a whole, I see a healthy Joe Burrow, who I believe would immediately enter the MVP conversation. I see a quarterback who is still arguably one of the five best players at his position in the entire league. I see an offense capable of competing with anybody. I see a defense that doesn't have to be dominant, just be competent.

I also don't think their schedule is overwhelmingly difficult. The last time I checked, they were favoured in the majority of their games.

That's why I think there's a very real chance that the Bengals not only return to the playoffs this season but also make a serious run once they get there.

In fact, I think there's a legitimate possibility that the Cincinnati Bengals are playing for the Lombardi Trophy on Valentine's Day.

Maybe I'm too confident.

Maybe I'm buying in too heavily.

But sometimes predictions aren't built entirely on numbers or analysis.

Sometimes, it's just a gut feeling.

And I expect the Bengals to be a real factor this season.